Black Cherry
Latin Name: Prunus serotina
Identifying Characteristics:
- Leaves are leathery in texture
- Finely toothed margins
- Alternate leaf pattern
- White flowers
- Bark is smooth when tree is young
- Bark of larger trunks is thin and has long, narrow cracks, and is scaly
Plant Longevity:
- Perennial
Where Commonly Found:
- Pasture and forage interface
- Shady areas
Time of Most Concern:
- When leaves are wilted, although green leaves, twigs, bark , and seeds all contain toxic components
Compound that Causes Concern:
- Cyanogenic glycosides: prunasin and amygdalin
Part of Plant Most Toxic:
- Wilting leaves
Livestock Species Affected:
- Cattle
- Horses
- Sheep
- Goats
Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:
- Tree limbs with wilting leaves found around pastures
Clinical Signs:
- Slobbering
- Increased respiration
- Weak pulse
- Convulsions
- Pupil dilation
Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:
- In cattle, 1.2-4.8 pounds of wilted black cherry leaves can cause symptoms or death
- In sheep, as little as 0.18-0.72 pound can cause symptoms or death
Identifying Characteristics:
- Leaves are leathery in texture
- Finely toothed margins
- Alternate leaf pattern
- White flowers
- Bark is smooth when tree is young
- Bark of larger trunks is thin and has long, narrow cracks, and is scaly
Plant Longevity:
- Perennial
Where Commonly Found:
- Pasture and forage interface
- Shady areas
Time of Most Concern:
- When leaves are wilted, although green leaves, twigs, bark , and seeds all contain toxic components
Compound that Causes Concern:
- Cyanogenic glycosides: prunasin and amygdalin
Part of Plant Most Toxic:
- Wilting leaves
Livestock Species Affected:
- Cattle
- Horses
- Sheep
- Goats
Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:
- Tree limbs with wilting leaves found around pastures
Clinical Signs:
- Slobbering
- Increased respiration
- Weak pulse
- Convulsions
- Pupil dilation
Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:
- In cattle, 1.2-4.8 pounds of wilted black cherry leaves can cause symptoms or death
- In sheep, as little as 0.18-0.72 pound can cause symptoms or death
https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_prse2.pdf
https://extension.psu.edu/cyanide-poisoning-of-livestock-from-cherry-tree-leaves
Radi et al. Prunus spp. intoxication in ruminants: a case in a goat and diagnosis by identification of leaf fragments in rumen contents. JVDI 16: 593-599 (2009)